Three nearby lagoons, including the idyllic Progresso Lagoon, are home to crocodiles, manatees, agouti, tapir, woodpeckers, toucans, and countless other jungle birds. A beautiful tranquil setting on the Laguna Seca with an abundance of flowers and fruit trees make this hidden paradise worth a visit. Nearby is the sleepy fishing village of Copperbank, named by the English who arrived in 1877, after some copper coins were found. Either way, Cerros is definitely worth the visit. You can take a 20-minute boat ride from Corozal to Cerros, or, by land, you will need to cross the New River on the hand-cranked ferry. It's easy for visitors to imagine what it would have been like thousands of years ago to watch your friends and enemies approaching. The partially excavated 70-foot temple, with its intricate stucco masks representing the rising and setting sun, overlooks the sea. The site covers 53 hillside acres and was an important late pre-classic trading post for jade and obsidian. Cerros, which can be seen from Corozal town, has a spectacular setting on the coast overlaying Chetumal Bay. Historically, the entire area plays an important part in the story of the Maya civilization with an abundance of unexcavated mounds and artifacts. In town hall, a 1953, mural by artist Manual Villamor Reyes depicts the diverse history of the region and is constantly being updated and expanded. One house still stands proud, and excellent example of the old style of architecture. The original town was made up of adobe and thatch houses, but in 1955, Hurricane Janet devastated the town and only 10 houses remained. In two corners of the plaza there are the remains of small forts built to ward off Indian attacks. The town is laid out in the traditional Mexican grid system with activities centering around the town square. Many traditions remain - most residents speak Spanish and are Catholic. Today, the Mestizo continue to be dominant. In 18 as a result of the Caste Wars (La Guerra de las Castes) in Mexico, thousands of Maya and Mestizo refugees from southern Mexico made this area their home. The area remained populated with Maya until the late 16th century after which the city began to decline. The city also controlled the trade through the Rio Hondo and New River. Excavation of the site yielded pottery of the Swasey style, some of the earliest ot be found in the Maya area. Santa Rita is one of the earliest Maya settlements in the north dating from 2000 BC. Located 84 miles from Belize City and 8 miles from Mexico, the town of Corozal lies on the foundations of the ancient Maya ceremonial center of Santa Rita on the banks of Chetumal Bay. Corn plays a major role in all local dishes, tortillas, tamales, tamalitos. The main crops are corn and sugar-cane, which provide livelihoods for many of Corozal Town's residents. These trees were considered by the Maya to be symbols of fertiility, which is a fitting name for the area of Belize that is arguably the most agriculturally productive of the country. The name Corozal comes from the Maya Yucatecan name for the Chune Palm, which grows wild in the area. The Pre-Columbian Maya ruins are found in Corozal at Santa Rita near Corozal Town, at Louisville, and at Cerros. While the island of Ambergris Caye may geographically be closest to Corozal District, it is actually a part of the Belize District. Corozal District also as the following towns and villages: Chunox, Consejo, Little Belize, Louisville, Patchacan, Progresso, San Joaquin, and Xaibe. The district capital is the city, Corozal Town. The area is alive with culture, history and wildlife. For many Belizeans it is the gateway to Mexico, but the peaceful towns, villages and landscape of the surrouding area offers much more. The Corozal District is the northermost area of Belize.
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